Apple Releases iOS 12.1.2: Details About The Update You Should Know About

Consumer Tech
Tech enthusiast, born in Ann Arbor and educated at Michigan State

iOS 12 screenshotApple

Today Apple released the iOS 12.1.2 (build number 16C101), which has bug fixes for the iPhone. Apple released only one beta of iOS 12.1.2 before the final version was released to the public today.

What Is Included In The iOS 12.1.2 Update?

As iOS 12.1.2 is a minor point update, it does not contain any major features. Apple said that bugs with eSIM activation for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have been fixed. And iOS 12.1.2 addresses an issue that could potentially affect cellular connectivity in Turkey for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

But there is a major behind-the-scenes reason why this update was issued today. About a week ago, Qualcomm won a patent victory against Apple in China and obtained an injunction that banned the importing of older iPhone devices ranging from the iPhone 6S through the iPhone X.

Last week, Apple told Reuters that it would push software updates to users as a way “to address any possible concern about our compliance with the order." Qualcomm's patents are related to photo resizing and application management. So an Apple software update could potentially circumvent the technology covered in those patents.

Apple’s lawyers have argued that this injunction should be lifted since continuing to sell iPhones do not constitute “irreparable harm” to Qualcomm. In the injunction reconsideration request, Apple also pointed out that a ban on iPhone sales would impact Chinese suppliers and consumers along with the tax revenue it pays.

Apple iOS 12.1.2Screenshot: Amit Chowdhry

Previous iOS 12 Updates

iOS 12.1.1 - Apple’s iOS 12.1.1 update rolled out on December 5th. This update included notification preview using Haptic Touch for the iPhone XR. For the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, dual SIM with eSIM became supported by additional carriers. T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T now support this eSIM feature.

And iOS 12.1.1 included one tap to flip between the rear- and front-facing cameras during a FaceTime call. Plus Live Photo capture was added during one-to-one FaceTime calls. Other features included the ability to hide the sidebar while viewing the News app in landscape orientation on the iPad, a dictation bug fix in VoiceOver and real-time text (RTT) getting added while using Wi-Fi calling on iPad and iPod touch.

iOS 12.1 (Second Release) - Apple released a second version of iOS 12.1 specifically for the iPhone XR on November 6th. It is believed that this was a maintenance update for the iPhone XR and did not contain any new features

iOS 12.1 - iOS 12.1, a major point update launched on October 30th following Apple’s Special Event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music where the new 13.3-inch MacBook Air with Retina Display and Touch ID, the new Mac mini and new iPad Pros were announced. iOS 12.1 included Group FaceTime, 70 new emoji, dual SIM support and depth control in the Camera app.

iOS 12.0.1 - iOS 12.0.1 shipped on October 8thwith several bug fixes. Apple included a fix where some iPhone XS devices did not charge immediately once being connected to a Lightning cable. And iOS 12.0.1 fixed a problem that was preventing iPhone XS devices from rejoining a 5GHz Wi-Fi network.

This update restored the original position of the “.?123” key on the iPad keyboard. Plus it fixed issues where subtitles were not appearing in some video apps and caused Bluetooth to become unavailable.

iOS 12 - The major iOS 12 update arrived on September 15th. Some of the most notable features in iOS 12 included performance improvements, photo suggestions in the Messages app, Screen Time, notification grouping, Do Not Disturb enhancements, ARKit 2, new Shortcuts and Measure apps and a redesign of the Books, Stocks, News and Voice Memos app. In terms of security, Apple implemented privacy and security components such as tracking prevention, password reuse auditing, automatic strong passwords, security code AutoFill and password sharing.

I have written over 20,000 articles about startups, gadgets and large technology companies over the last ten years. My Forbes column focuses on the tech economy, startups and gadgets. When I am not writing for Forbes, I spend time hanging out with my wife around metro Detro...